After eight years as Chief Executive of PECT, Carly Leonard has announced she is leaving the environment charity in the summer. During her time as CEO, Carly has helped to grow the charity, pushing the climate and environment agenda locally, nationally, and internationally with project impacts reaching global audiences.
Carly has overseen many changes to the organisation both within the team and through the governance of the charity. This has enabled PECT to continue creating a real impact for people and the environment through the natural environment, health and wellbeing, education, and responsible resource use.
Some of the highlights include the successful delivery of Business Energy Efficiency for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, which saw the investment of nearly £3m in energy efficiency measures for SMEs across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire; and more recently the team’s work on circular economy and food waste through BLUEPRINT for a Circular Economy and Cool Food Pro.
In addition, PECT flagship programmes have also grown, including the support provided to vulnerable households with home energy advice; delivering natural environment enhancements through green space creation and enhancement and working with businesses to reduce their impacts through Investors in the Environment (iiE). Plus, the launching of PECT’s Eco Charter which is helping schools to inspire the next generation and the great success of PECT’s trading arm Green Energy Switch.
Carly comments: “It’s been a fantastic experience leading PECT over the last eight years, working with brilliant people and helping to deliver real impact and change for our environment. The environmental agenda has evolved so much during this time and I leave knowing that PECT has made and will continue to make a real difference for both people and the environment. There is plenty more to do and I have every confidence that the organisation will continue to adapt and be an impressive force for change.”
Toby Willison, PECT Chair said: “Carly has steered PECT through some challenging times during her time as CEO, she has done this with skill, empathy, and a laser-like focus on sustainability. Carly leaves PECT in a much better place than she found it, we’ll miss her.”
Carly leaves PECT at the end of July and is excited to be moving on to work as Head of Environmental Strategy in the newly formed Quality and Environment Business Stream for Anglian Water. Stuart Dawks, PECT’s Director of Operations, will take over as interim CEO while a recruitment process takes place for a new CEO later this year.